ability
[noun]
Synonyms: skill, aptitude, capability, competence, expertise, proficiency, talent

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Antonyms: inability
Contrasted words: impotence, inadequacy, incapability, incompetence, ineffectualness, unfitness, fatuity, futility, inanity
Related Idioms: what it takes
Related Words: address, adroitness, cleverness, dexterity, aptitude, aptness, facility, knack, deftness, efficiency, handiness, proficiency, ingenuity, resourcefulness, talent

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

-ability /əbɪləti, əbɪlɪti/ (also -ibility) suffix
[Language: Old French; Origin: -abilité, from Latin -abilitas, from -abilis; ⇒ -able]
makes nouns from adjectives ending in -able and -ible:
manageability

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

a‧bil‧i‧ty S2 W1 /əˈbɪləti, əˈbɪlɪti/ noun (plural abilities)
[Word Family: noun: ability ≠ inability, disability; adjective: able ≠ unable, disabled; verb: enable ≠ disable; adverb: ably]
[Date: 1400-1500; Language: Old French; Origin: habilité, from Latin habilitas, from habilis; ⇒ able]

1. [countable] the state of being able to do something
ability to do something
the ability to walk
The health center serves all patients, regardless of their ability to pay.

2. [uncountable and countable] someone’s level of skill at doing something:
The test measures your mathematical ability.
mixed ability classes
of high/low etc ability
students of average ability
There are musicians of all abilities.
somebody's abilities as something
He showed his abilities as a leader.

3. to the best of your ability as well as you can:
He completed the job to the best of his ability.

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

ability
noun
I. skill/power to do sth
ADJ. exceptional, extraordinary, great, outstanding, remarkable, uncanny | inherent, innate, natural discovering the natural abilities of each child
proven | academic, acting, artistic, athletic, creative, intellectual, linguistic, mathematical, musical, reading, technical | mental, physical
VERB + ABILITY have | demonstrate, show Both players demonstrated their ability to hit the ball hard.
acquire, develop | lack | lose I seem to have lost my ability to attract clients.
appreciate, recognize Fox's abilities were soon recognized.
PHRASES to the best of your ability We will keep you informed to the best of our ability.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

ability
II. speed with which sb learns
ADJ. high The school does nothing for children of high ability.
limited, low | average, mixed It is much more difficult to teach a mixed-ability class.
VERB + ABILITY assess, test
PHRASES a level of ability There was a high level of ability among the school leavers.
a range of ability/abilities I taught a wide range of abilities.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

ability

high/low/average ability
a group of low ability pupils
Many of these students are of above average ability.
Children of high ability demand more absorbing tasks.
great/considerable ability
He was a young man of great ability.
These drawings required considerable ability on the part of the artist.
remarkable/outstanding/exceptional ability
a writer of remarkable ability
The company aims to select people of outstanding ability.
his exceptional ability as a swimmer
mixed ability (=at different levels)
a mixed ability class
uncanny ability (=an unusual ability that is difficult to explain)
He has an uncanny ability for spotting investment opportunities.
natural ability (also innate ability formal) (=an ability that you are born with)
He didn't have the natural ability of his brother.
Babies have an innate ability to do simple maths.
physical/athletic ability
He has considerable athletic ability.
artistic/creative ability
You do not need to have any artistic ability.
musical ability
Tim showed musical ability at an early age.
acting ability
Her acting abilities were obvious straightaway.
mental ability
The exercises are supposed to help you improve your mental ability.
intellectual/academic ability
No one doubts his intellectual abilities.
A degree is evidence of your academic ability in a particular subject area.
verbal/linguistic ability (=language skills)
The test is intended to measure the children's linguistic ability.
mathematical ability
These students have a higher level of mathematical ability.
proven ability (=that you have proved through your achievements)
Companies often value the proven ability and reliability of older employees.
have the ability to do something (also possess the ability to do something formal)
She has the ability to make people feel relaxed.
show/demonstrate the ability to do something
a chance for candidates to demonstrate their abilities
lack the ability to do something
As a young man, he lacked the ability to say no.
a level of ability/ability level
The children were of the same age and ability level.
a range of ability/ability range
There is a wide range of ability within the class.
Disruptive behaviour is more prominent in the lower ability range.
a test of ability/an ability test
Examinations are not always a good test of ability.
The class was given a verbal ability test.
an ability group (=a group that students are taught in, based on their level of ability)
Children are divided into different ability groups.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

ability
noun
1.
BAD: These machines are destroying our ability of thinking.
GOOD: These machines are destroying our ability to think.

Usage Note:
ability to do sth (NOT of doing): 'Nobody doubts his ability to get the job done quickly.' 'We need someone with the ability to work under intense pressure.'

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2.
BAD: I want to improve my ability of reading.
GOOD: I want to improve my reading ability.

Usage Note:
reading/writing/teaching/acting ability: 'Her acting ability was recognized at a very early age.'

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3.
BAD: I want to improve my ability of English.
GOOD: I want to improve my ability in English.

Usage Note:
ability in a language or subject: 'Sarah has demonstrated considerable ability in both maths and chemistry.'

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Common Errors ▲